From the editors of American Nurseryman • %%=Format(Now(), "MMMM d, yyyy")=%%

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Welcome to 'Sprout,' American Nurseryman's e-newsletter published on the first and third Thursdays of each month. For even more, be sure to read our March issue.

Relax! PLANET survey says that’s what clients wantA recent study conducted by PLANET shows that 81 percent of respondents with a yard say the upkeep is important to the look of their home—but when it comes down to it, what we really do in that yard is relax. More than 2,800 adults were polled; when asked the chief reason for maintaining or improving their landscapes, owners were likely to cite pride in their home (42 percent) as the primary motivator. Creating an outdoor space in which to relax came in at 16 percent, and property value was cited by 15 percent. But, when it comes to what the yard or landscape is commonly used for, relaxing rises to the top (26 percent), followed by planting flowers/vegetables (17 percent) and spending time with family (14 percent). Read more>

Help HRI determine funding prioritiesThe Horticultural Research Institute wants your help in determining the organization’s research initiative priorities for the next five years. An online research assessment survey has been posted, and participants who complete the survey by May 31 will be eligible to win an iPad Mini. That’s right: We knew about the bonus, but we wanted to get you excited about the research first. You can access the survey here. The compiled results of the online survey will assist HRI in establishing funding priorities for its competitive research grants program along with advising the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to focus federal research dollars on critical industry issues through the Floriculture & Nursery Research Initiative. And don’t forget—you might win an iPad Mini! Read more>

It isn’t easy being a carnivorous plantThink you know the pitcher plant? Shaped like a tube, the leaves catch rainwater; thirsty bugs crawl in for a sip, lose their footing and drown. But that’s only part of the story. Lurking in that water are larvae of mosquitos, flesh flies and midges; mites; rotifers; copepods; nematodes; and multicellular algae. These tiny critters create what researchers call a “processing chain” with a significant ick factor. Unfortunate bugs are shredded by the midge larvae; bacteria eat the shredded pieces; rotifers eat the bacteria; the pitcher plant then absorbs the rotifers’ waste. But wait! There’s more: Fly larvae are there to eat the rotifers, midge larvae—and each other—and everyone involved feasts on bacteria. It’s a food-chain lesson in miniature. (Photo courtesy of Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org)Read more>

Calling all Plant Geeks!Grab your bicycles and head to Florida for FNGLA’s Plant Geek II, scheduled for Saturday, May 4 in Oakland (west of Orlando). Okay, you can run or walk, too, but biking just looks fun. This year’s theme is “Health-Plants-Friends, Cultivating a Happy Lifestyle.” The genesis of Plant Geek II was the Plant Geek Ride offered a year ago, when nearly 60 people, including industry members and friends and family, showed up for cycling fun as well as good fellowship at a post-ride cookout. To reach more people, the ride has expanded to include a walk/run and a Plant Geek Scavenger Hunt (via smart phones) offered by IFAS Extension. Industry and non-industry people are encouraged to come together and celebrate the healthy benefits that come from fitness, nature, plants and good fellowship. A minimum donation of $25 gets you registration for one of the fitness events (c’mon, you know you want to ride that bike), a T-shirt, a plant and the cookout. Read more>

Syngenta to offer Goldsmith scholarshipsSyngenta Flowers Inc. has announced it will offer two scholarships in 2013 to undergraduate, master’s or doctoral students who have shown high potential in the fields of plant breeding and ornamental horticulture through scholastic scholarship and experience. The Glenn Goldsmith Breeding Excellence Scholarship will award $7,500 to a student working toward a degree in plant breeding; the Goldsmith Seeds Floriculture Business Advancement Scholarship will award $7,500 to a student working toward a degree in ornamental horticulture business. The application deadline is May 31. Read more>

Savio Engineering expands to East CoastSavio Engineering, manufacturers of water feature and gardening equipment and materials, has expanded operations by opening a second office in Paterson, N.J. Savio’s headquarters are located in Albuquerque, N.M. Read more>

Siegers Seed Co. opens new location in GeorgiaSiegers Seed Company has recently added a new facility in Moultrie, Ga., strategically located in a “massive farm community.” Siegers is a family-owned, Michgan-based distributor of quality seeds and plants in the U.S. and Canada. Read more>

People News

Kuziw joins Aris HortJennifer Kuziw has joined Aris Horticulture as the company’s sales rep covering Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Kuziw has worked in the green industry for 25 years in both the grower and retailer segments. Read more>

Schneider appointed Barenbrug CEOJames Schneider has been appointed CEO and President of Barenbrug USA. He previously served as CEO of JB Instant Lawn and Nursery. Read more>

Soles named Star Roses and Plants sales managerGreg Soles has been promoted to sales manager at Star Roses and Plants/Conard-Pyle. He previously owned a consulting business and worked in sales and new product development for Aris/Green Leaf Co. Read more>

Overwintering filmOverWintering & Cover Plus films from Ginegar Films now are available in the U.S exclusively through A.M. Leonard. Less than the cost of standard 4-mil overwinter film, the new 3-mil OW Plus is stronger than standard 4-mil and 5-mil from competitor brands. Plus, the new 4-mil OW Plus is stronger than, and can replace, standard 6-mil overwinter films at a cost-saving price. Cover Plus films, with their superior strength, are built to last multiple years. When a single season is not enough, these films can be used for structure coverings, float bed liners, to darken and shade plants to prolong dormancy or promote flowering, and as weed barriers for orchard plantings and row crops. Read more>

Mid-size brush cutterThe TBB-3002 Brush Blazer from Peco Inc. features a 48-inch cut width, placing it between smaller-scale lawn units and large forestry attachments. The Brush Blazer’s rotary brush cutting system features two half-inch-thick steel discs, each with three hardened steel flail blades. The weight of the discs and the mass of the blades give the unit the strength and momentum needed to plow through tall grass, tough brush and woody material. The flail blades are easy to sharpen and are double sided for extra longevity. The self-propelled unit has infinitely variable speeds up to 5 mph, making operation efficient and easy, even when clearing steep ditches or rough terrain. Read more>

Track loaderMustang Manufacturing has introduced the 2500RT track loader, equipped with a 74.3 hp Tier IV emissions compliant Deutz turbo-diesel engine, delivering 243 ft. lbs. of torque and up to 14,317 lbs. of tractive effort. An industry-exclusive automatic track tensioning system eliminates the need for manually tensioning the tracks on the loader before operation. The extra-large, state-of-the-art operator’s station is designed for optimal operator comfort and maximum productivity. Read more>

Hydraulic powered rock pickerRemlinger Manufacturing offers the PRM hydraulic powered rock picker designed to move stones, rocks, windrows and boulders. The simple, efficient valve and remote switch box hydraulic system allows the operator to control all rock picker functions separately without leaving the tractor. The double wrap-around frame is all welded and constructed from heavy wall 5-inch square tubing. Other features include reel assembly with spring cushion action and individual hard surfaced teeth with heavy wall tube and carbon shafting and pins. A heavy-duty pivot bucket hinges provide high strength and hopper stability. Read more>

Armitage appNeed a little excitement on your smartphone? Try Allan Armitage’s new app. Here’s the scoop from the Dr. himself: “Gardening is not brain surgery, or rocket science—and if I have learned one thing, it is that gardening should never be taken seriously. So have fun. There are no rules. You may search all plants, or use the filter to search for annuals, perennials or those grown in sun, shade or for foliage or flowers. Scroll through any plant for useful information, swipe through hundreds of photos. Add plants to your list of favorites, and e-mail some of these to your friends or spouse so they will buy you the plant you actually are lusting for. For even more excitement, I have included videos where not only do I make a fool of myself, but may even teach you a few hints. Have fun!” Read more>

Nursery High TunnelsHigh Tunnels from Haygrove USA can be fully vented, not only 3 or 4 feet on the side like most houses, but truly up to 9 or 10 feet to the apex. This allows excellent air movement and ensures that tender plants can be protected from the rain but can harden off more effectively than in enclosed structures. If you need coverage but are not looking for a greenhouse facility, check these out. Read more>

Buy this book!Do you want your customers growing their own plants? Probably not. But getting them enthused about plants in general, and generating interest in having even more plants, just may make them better buyers. Propagating Your Plants, by Richard Rosenfeld, explains how to grow plants from seed, how to take cuttings from established plants, dividing plants into sections, layering shoots, and grafting the top of one plant to the bottom of the another. All the techniques are explained with step-by-step instructions. Read more>